Rayudu drafted in for Kenya trip

Ambati Rayudu, the Hyderabad middle-order batsman, has replaced Hemang Badani for India A's tour of Kenya. Badani, who suffered an ankle injury, will return home in the next few days.

India have just concluded a series against Zimbabwe A, where they played a four-day match and a one-day game each against a Zimbabwe Select XI and Zimbabwe A. India A comfortably won all their matches, but Badani played in only one of them, scoring 23.

Rayudu, considered by many to be one of the finest batting prospects in India, has been pushing for higher honours with consistent scores in domestic cricket. Rayudu, who turns 19 in September, scored 410 runs from six matches last season, with one century, at an average of 45.55.

India A are scheduled to play two four-day matches against Kenya A, the first from August 26 to 29 and the second from September 1 to 4.